Fairleigh Dickinson University

What you'll study

The programme covers the fundamental and contemporary areas of human resources, organised through a mix of core courses, electives and a culminating applied experience (capstone project or internship). Typical modules include:

• Foundations of Human Resource Management – strategic role of HR, HR functions and the HR lifecycle.
• Employment Law and Compliance – workplace legislation, regulatory compliance, discrimination and accommodation issues.
• Talent Acquisition and Recruitment – sourcing, selection methods, employer branding and onboarding best practice.
• Training, Learning and Development – instructional design, needs analysis, evaluation of training effectiveness.
• Compensation and Benefits – pay structures, total rewards strategy, benefits administration and benchmarking.
• Performance Management and Organisational Development – appraisal systems, feedback, change management and organisational design.
• HR Analytics and Information Systems – workforce metrics, data-driven decision making and HRIS fundamentals.
• Labour Relations and Collective Bargaining – union-management relations, negotiation strategies and grievance handling (where offered).
• Ethics and Diversity in the Workplace – inclusive practices, ethical dilemmas and global HR perspectives.

Students typically complete elective options or concentrations to tailor study toward talent management, organisational development or HR analytics, and many programmes offer a practicum or capstone that applies classroom learning to a real organisational challenge.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally required to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Typical admissions documentation includes academic transcripts, a current CV/resume, and a personal statement outlining professional goals and reasons for pursuing graduate study in HR. Two professional or academic references are often requested.

Universities commonly expect a satisfactory undergraduate academic record; applicants with relevant work experience may be considered if their GPA is below preferred thresholds. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through an approved test or prior study in English if their first language is not English. Additional requirements can include an interview and, for some applicants, GMAT/GRE scores when relevant to evaluation.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of roles across private, public and non-profit sectors. Common career pathways include:

• HR generalist and HR business partner roles, providing end-to-end HR support to organisations.
• Talent acquisition and recruitment specialist positions, focused on sourcing and hiring.
• Learning and development coordinator or manager, designing and delivering training programmes.
• Compensation and benefits analyst, advising on pay strategy and incentive design.
• HR analyst or HRIS specialist, using data to inform workforce planning and decision-making.
• Labour relations or employee relations specialist, managing collective bargaining and workplace disputes.
• Independent HR consultant or specialist in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Graduates also often pursue professional certifications such as SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP or HRCI credentials to enhance employability and professional standing.

Why study at Fairleigh Dickinson University

Fairleigh Dickinson University offers graduate HR education with small class sizes and personalized attention from faculty who combine academic knowledge with practitioner experience. The university’s campuses in the New Jersey / New York region provide proximity to a large and diverse job market, enabling networking, internships and employer engagement opportunities.

FDU emphasises applied learning — through case studies, group projects and practicum experiences — and provides flexible scheduling options to accommodate working professionals. Career services, alumni networks and partnerships with regional employers help students connect classroom learning to real-world HR practice and career advancement.